特定活動（スタートアップビザ）
Designated Activities (Startup Visa)
What it allows
A Designated Activities status to prepare a business in Japan for up to two years under the management and support of a municipality or private operator certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Spouses and children supported by the holder can stay under a companion status.
Period of stay
Up to 2 years in total; file extensions early enough that the total does not exceed 2 years.
Requirements
- A confirmation certificate for your start-up preparation plan, issued by the certified municipality or private operator and still valid · Confirm with the official source
- Either 1 or more years of business operation or management experience, or a doctorate, master’s or professional degree in business management or a field related to the planned business · Confirm with the official source
Where this can lead
Related rulebook entries
What it is
- The Startup Visa scheme lets a person do business-preparation activities in Japan for up to two years under the management and support of a municipality or private operator certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.外国人起業家（外国人起業活動促進事業） 制度概要 · Checked on 2026-10-22
- Spouses and children supported by a Startup Visa holder can stay under a companion Designated Activities status (notice No. 45) for their daily activities.出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の規定に基づき同法別表第一の五の表の下欄に掲げる活動を定める件（特定活動告示） 第四十五号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Who qualifies
- A Startup Visa founder's plan must show a business expected to meet the full-time employee and 30,000,000 yen scale tests, and to have an office in Japan, within one year of landing or of the change of status, rather than at entry.外国人起業活動促進事業に関する告示 第5 6（1）③④ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-10-16
- To receive a Startup Visa confirmation certificate the founder needs either one year of experience running or managing a business or a doctorate, master's or professional degree in management or the business's field.外国人起業活動促進事業に関する告示 第5 6（1）⑤ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-10-16
- To apply, a person must show either at least one year of business operation or management experience, or a doctorate, master's or professional degree in business management or a field related to the planned business.外国人起業家（外国人起業活動促進事業） 在留資格認定証明書交付申請／提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Periods
- A person on the Startup Visa (Designated Activities No. 44) who got the confirmation certificate on or before 15 October 2025 is assessed under the old standard when changing to Business Manager.在留資格「経営・管理」に係る上陸基準省令等の改正について（出入国在留管理庁） Q&A 施行に伴う留意点 問３２ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-10-16
- The Startup Visa programme lets a person do start-up preparation activities for up to two years under a certified local authority or private operator.スタートアップ関連施策（出入国在留管理庁） · Checked on 2026-10-22
- The start-up preparation period plus any period already spent as a Business Manager in a national strategic special zone start-up activity must not exceed two years in total.外国人起業活動促進事業に関する告示 第5 6（1）⑥ · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-10-16
- A Startup Visa confirmation certificate is valid for three months from the day it is issued.外国人起業活動促進事業に関する告示 第5 7 · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-10-16
- Under Designated Activities notice No. 44, the permitted activity covers up to two years of preparing to start a business in Japan, such as securing premises, or running the business after it has started.出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の規定に基づき同法別表第一の五の表の下欄に掲げる活動を定める件（特定活動告示） 第四十四号 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Deadlines
- When extending, the applicant should file early enough that the total stay under this status does not exceed two years.外国人起業家（外国人起業活動促進事業） 在留期間更新許可申請 · Checked on 2026-10-22
How it works
- In the Startup Visa programme a METI-certified local government or private operator reviews the founder's plan and issues a confirmation certificate, which the founder takes to the regional immigration bureau to receive Designated Activities status for start-up preparation.外国人起業活動促進事業（スタートアップビザ）（経済産業省） 概要 · Checked on 2026-10-22
- The application requires a copy of the startup-preparation plan confirmation certificate issued by the certified implementing body, which must still be within its validity period.外国人起業家（外国人起業活動促進事業） 在留資格認定証明書交付申請／提出書類 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Lists and tables
- METI's list of certified Startup Visa operators on its page last updated 8 June 2026 shows 25 entries, from Fukuoka City to Kanagawa Prefecture, including one private company.外国人起業活動促進事業（スタートアップビザ）（経済産業省） 外国人起業促進実施団体の一覧 · Checked on 2026-10-22
Open the official page ↗ · As of 2026-10-23
Information only. Not legal advice and not an official service. Check the official source and consult the Immigration Services Agency or a licensed administrative scrivener (行政書士) before you decide.